Kenya strengthens green measures for 2025 WRC Safari Rally
Mar 23, 2025
Nairobi [Kenya], March 23: Kenya has implemented robust measures to uphold green and sustainability principles during the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, currently underway in the resort town of Naivasha, an official said Saturday.
Patrick Omondi, director and chief executive officer of the Kenya Wildlife Research and Training Institute, said guardrails have been installed to minimize ecological harm during and after the event, which concludes on Sunday.
"As we enjoy the rally, it is our obligation to mitigate against any environmental impact, especially on the rally routes," Omondi said in a statement issued in Naivasha, a resort town located about 90 km northwest of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital,
Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday flagged off the fifth edition of the WRC Safari Rally hosted by the East African nation since 2021, cementing Kenya's status as a premier motorsports destination with its breathtaking landscapes, favorable weather, and hospitable communities.
The grueling three-day event has drawn thousands of spectators, including local and international tourists, to Naivasha, a region known for its craters, active volcanoes, and wildlife-rich plains.
Since 2021, safeguards against environmental pollution during the WRC Safari Rally have remained in place, Omondi said, citing efforts such as plastic collection and safe disposal, as well as mapping wildlife corridors to ensure the safety of iconic species.
In addition to implementing motorsport conservation programs, government agencies tasked with protecting Kenya's wildlife have established tree nurseries to rehabilitate rally routes, Omondi noted.
"We have identified areas to plant indigenous trees in line with government policy on forest cover even as we appeal to corporates to join us in enhancing our indigenous tree planting," said Omondi.
The WRC Safari Rally serves as a platform to showcase Kenya's natural treasures while encouraging motorsports enthusiasts to embrace conservation, Omondi added.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
